Running Sioux Falls’ newest swimming facility was never expected to be cheap, but halfway through the Midco Aquatic Center’s first year of operation it’s financial performance is beating projections.

That’s one of the few positive points made during Mayor Mike Huether’s annual budget address this week that was rife with worry about slowing revenues and rising expenses.

When the $24 million Midco pool was built at Spellerberg Park, Huether and the Parks and Recreation Department anticipated operational expenses at the facility would exceed revenues generated by admissions, lane rentals and concession sales by about $500,000 each year. In other words, it was going to take an annual tax subsidy to keep the doors open.

“Coming out of the blocks it’s doing better than we could have ever expected,” he said of the facility that opened last fall. “There’s a chance that the revenues may actually be equal to or greater than expenditures.”

Leading Huether to that conclusion is financial numbers through the first six months of 2017 when revenues came it at around $675,000 compared to operational expenses of $711,000.

“We never made a commitment that this one would operate in the black,” he said. “There were so many people who say we’re going to be throwing money down the drain. But what’s interesting is it couldn’t be any busier than it is right now.”

Through June, the Midco Aquatic Center attendance came in at just under 122,000 swimmers. In June alone – the best attended month for the indoor pool since it opened, more than 27,000 people came through the doors.

Like Huether, Parks Director Don Kearney said he’s encouraged by the first few months of operation, but being as the Midco Aquatic Center hasn’t yet been open for a full year, it’s unclear how the facility will perform in the remaining months of 2017.

“While we are certainly pleased with the Midco Aquatic Center attendance, revenues and expenses, it is too early to predict that we will end the year better that we projected,” he said.